"Let's go," Azerin growled, gripping Riven's arm and dragging him outside.
Soren, standing near the car, immediately sensed the storm brewing around the Alpha.
"Start the car," Soren told the driver, who promptly opened the door. Azerin shoved Riven into the backseat with little care and slid in beside him. Soren followed, taking the passenger seat.
The moment the doors closed and the vehicle pulled away, Azerin rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to contain his rising temper.
"Explain," he said coldly, his voice low but razor-sharp.
Riven sat tensely, hands clasped together in his lap, eyes fixed on the floor. The silence only seemed to ignite Azerin further.
"Why are you quiet now? You had plenty to say back there, yelling in front of every Alpha!" Azerin snapped, which caused Riven to flinch.
"I did it because that Alpha was hurting the omega," Riven finally said, his voice quieter but steady. "He was forcing him into something against his will."
Azerin turned sharply, his gaze piercing. "Did I give you permission to interfere in their matters?"
From the front seat, Soren glanced at Riven through the rearview mirror. The bruises on his cheek and temple hadn't gone unnoticed.
"No, you didn't," Riven replied, raising his head slightly. "But I couldn't just stand there and do nothing. That omega needed help."
"Alpha, you should punish this brat. He doesn't understand where he should open his mouth and where he should stay quiet," Soren suggested.
"Fine. Just punish me. Those alphas were at fault. They beat me up because they contain that damn power of dominating everyone," Riven muttered under his breath, feeling furious.
Turning his gaze to Azerin, Riven spoke, "I didn't expect things to escalate like that. And… you shouldn't have come for me, Master. You could've left me there."
Azerin didn't respond immediately. He looked away. A heavy silence filled the car.
'Did he deliberately sabotage my plan?' Azerin wondered. 'But… his eyes didn't hold any deceit.'
In the backseat, Riven touched the split at the corner of his lip and winced. The sting pulsed through his nerves. It had been a while since he took a beating like this.
Azerin sensed Riven's discomfort, but he forced himself to stay unmoved. The rest of the ride continued in silence.
When they reached the mansion, the car stopped smoothly at the entrance.
"We'll talk tomorrow," Azerin said curtly to his beta and stepped out.
Riven decided to hurry toward the infirmary on the other side of the estate, but Azerin's voice stopped him mid-step.
"Follow me."
He silently followed his master up the stairs. When they entered the grand room, Riven stopped near the door, bracing himself for another harsh lecture.
"Come. Sit here," Azerin's calm voice broke through his thoughts.
Surprised, Riven blinked. He stepped forward slowly and noticed Azerin retrieving a first-aid kit from the drawer. Still hesitant, he hovered beside the couch.
"I won't ask again," Azerin said, not looking at him.
Riven obeyed and took a seat, the cushions sinking under his weight. Azerin sat beside him, unusually close, and opened the kit. He pulled out a cotton swab, dampened it with antiseptic, and reached out.
His gloved fingers tilted Riven's face up by the chin.
"This might sting."
Before Riven could prepare himself, Azerin pressed the swab against the torn skin of his lower lip.
"Ahhh!" Riven hissed, recoiling slightly.
"I thought you were used to such minor pain," Azerin murmured with a smirk, though his touch remained gentle. He dabbed again, this time more carefully.
Riven clenched his fists on his knees, unsure whether the pain in his lip or the softness in Azerin's gaze unsettled him more.
Then, Azerin leaned in and blew lightly over Riven's wounded lip. The cool breath made the sting ease for a moment. He set aside the bloodied swab and reached for another, silently cleaning the bruises scattered across Riven's face.
Riven sat still, eyes locked on the Alpha. A strange warmth bloomed in his chest. No one had ever tended to his wounds like this. Not with such care.
"You're different from the other Alphas," he murmured, almost to himself. "I wonder why people fear you when you can be so... kind."
Azerin paused, a band-aid between his fingers. His gaze lifted to meet Riven's.
"Why do you think I'm different?" he asked, almost intrigued.
Without waiting for a reply, he peeled the band-aid open and gently pressed it to the cut on Riven's forehead. Then another on his cheek. One more on his jawline.
"No Alpha treats the wounds of an Omega," Riven whispered.
A dry chuckle left Azerin's lips, laced with amusement. "So now you consider yourself an Omega?"
Riven blinked, caught off-guard by the teasing tone. But Azerin's eyes didn't mock him, they studied him.
"I can't lie to you about my identity anymore. It makes you angry," Riven admitted.
"You're using an informal tone with me again," Azerin pointed out, raising a brow.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Riven quickly corrected himself, his back straightening in reflex.
Azerin leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the bruises still blooming across Riven's face. "You reek of other Alphas. Why did you let them touch you?" he asked. "You could have said you belonged to me. If you'd taken my name, none of them would've dared lay a hand on you."
"From now on, if such a situation arises, you'll say my name without hesitation. Is that clear?"
Riven blinked, startled by the commanding tone wrapped in unexpected concern. "What's with this sudden kindness?" he asked, half-joking but not entirely.
Azerin met his gaze without flinching. "As long as you're with me, I must protect you."
The words hit Riven harder than he anticipated. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, eyes flickering away. His fingers curled in his lap, trying to hide the nervousness rising inside him.
"I should go to my room," he muttered, standing. "Thank you for your help tonight."
As he turned to leave, Azerin reached out and caught his wrist, gently but firmly pulling him back down.
"Let's have dinner together," Azerin said.